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Monday, February 18, 2013

CIRCLES+DOTS

When I think of the time Pam Allen has asked me to design a collection for Quince & Co I kept telling myself "is this real life"? I suddenly got transported back to the times when I was starting my knitting career and looking forward to every issue of the IK that she curated at the time and browsing through numerous books that she authored in the the local yarn stores. And now I get to do this! This excitement is quite often followed by some amount of self-questioning - would she like these sketches or not? To work with someone who has been in the industry so long has tremendous amount of my respect and reverence and I certainly didn't want to disappoint. When all the sketches got accepted (!!!) and the next stage was to pick the colors for the whole collection I couldn't contain myself as things just got even more real.

The inspiration for the Circles + Dots palette served this image for the Finch release as it comprised a harmonious combination of brights and neutrals, especially those hues of turquoise and orange, the colors that my blog used to be. And although I studied art at school for several years my sketching skills often leave much to be desired, however they conveyed the intent.

As you can see some designs went through transformation. The entire process is about making decisions what to add or what to get rid of in a finished design and it is done so to improve the wearability of the actual knits.
My initial idea was to make this collection a story of exploration into knitwear where dots and circles are represented in all kinds through various knit techniques. My interest in polka dots in particular started back in 2011 when I designed my Mizutama shawl in search of wanting to create a polka dot looking shawl without going the obvious route of intarsia. It got me thinking that there are more ways possible to create circular shapes with various looks and patterning in knitwear and I wanted to gather them together for a collection in such a manner that would show the correlation but have different placement, yet feel cohesive and "together". 2 garments and 3 accessories comprise this collection. I thoroughly enjoyed working the gradually decreasing in size eyelets for Flotilla Mittens and working the three-dimentional texture of Cowry Hat. Even more so developing a special stitch pattern for Effervescence Cardigan, the stitch that looks both eyelet and cables at the same time.
This creative process is slow and lengthy but all the efforts are worth it in the end. When I saw the final images, I was really stunned by the great light , composition and complimenting styling done by Quince&Co that brought the entire collection together in a beautiful narrative that I am very proud to be a part of.

I love the way you think about structure and this book is no exception. I've knit Hari and Muira and probably will knit the scarf in this collection first to see how the circles are constructed. Congratulations on the book!

Like many other commenters said, the simple elegance of this collection is what is so appealing. I prefer knitting designs with interesting, contemporary construction, rather than ones with complex color work.

I fell in love with the circles & dots collection. I just finished the flotilla mittens (the pattern is perfect and the mittens are so cute) yesterday and will show photos later on ravelry.I love the Cowry Hat, Gyre Scarf and Effervescence Cardigan and wish I had more time to knit!!Virginie (aka mollyblum on Ravelry)

Your sketches are as beautiful as the knit designs. I am eyeing the Effervescence Cardigan to begin with in a sunny yellow for the coming Spring. Love your giveaways, you have always been so generous. I am Axta on ravelry :)

Your sketches are beautiful as the knit designs. I am eyeing the Effervescence cardigan to begin with, in a sunny yellow for the coming Spring. Love your giveaways, you are so generous. I am Axta on ravelry

It's pleasure to know how your creative thinking resulted in these amazing works. Your idea seems very logical yet emotional at the same time, telling so much story behind.Your knitting literally opened my eyes in the way I never thought of.Very much looking forward to seeing your next design.

I have always loved your designs. They are so timeless, classic and elegant and yet modern without being trendy. So unique and wearable. My favorite in this collection is your Effervescence Cardigan. Just enough detail without being overwhelming. ukimom on Ravelry

I am in love with the Compass Pullover, the Effervescence Cardigan and the Flotilla Mittens. The colors of the yarn and the photography are so beautiful as well. It is a truly lovely collection. Congratulations!

I think it's genius how you use the circles and dots in a non-traditional way. When I see circles in knitted garments its usually eyelets and lace, but you've taken these open spaces and created something fresh and so pretty, but edgy at the same time. I love the look of the entire collection.

I love your designs because they are simple and clean - but incredibly interesting. Interesting to look at, but also interesting to make.

I've made several of your patterns and I always get so many compliments on the finished objects - I couldn't buy anything already made like them. And that's a big reason why I knit - to make things to wear that are unique and beautiful. So thanks for these great new designs!

I think it would have to be the Gyre scarf, although I'm really fond of the mittens too... do we really have to choose? ;-)Congratulations anyway, it's great to see you working with such great yarns as Quince & CO!

I love how the design of the holes create interest on the knitted garment it self, and whatever is worn underneath supplies another layer of interest because of what can be seen through the decorative elements.

I love that all your designs are so architectural, geometric and always sleek! When I saw the Effervescence Cardigan, my jaw literally dropped. It's so unique and classic at the same time. Pairs great with jeans and the office! LOVE <3

I love that all your designs are so architectural, geometric and always sleek! When I saw the Effervescence Cardigan, my jaw literally dropped. It's so unique and classic at the same time. Pairs great with jeans and the office! LOVE <3

Thank you for sharing the creative process behind Circles + Dots!I love how you play with clear structures and randomness (Flotilla Mitts). And how you play with the size of eyelets. Your designs reflect the beauty of nature!- stardiver [rav]

Hello,I fell in love with the compass sweater but most of all, I am always mesmerized by your ingeniosity in finding amazing ways to create a pattern (working right now on a Hari shawl...). Your creation look so simple and elegant but with a very sophisticated touch at the same time, very japanese I think. Thank you for these beautifull patterns, as usual.

It has a unified theme that is so versatile to wear. It must be so much fun to knit those patterns! Also the palette of colors is appealing and feels fresh and young. And the yarn looks like it has nice drape.